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Is Westar the reason for rules change?

Posted by Joel Mathis
November 17, 2004 at 7:03 a.m.

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The actions of a Kansas utility company may be part of the reason for rules changes in the U.S. House of Representatives.[The Washington Post][1] reports this morning that, "House Republicans proposed changing their rules last night to allow members indicted by state grand juries to remain in a leadership post, a move that would benefit Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) in case he is charged by a Texas grand jury that has indicted three of his political associates, according to GOP leaders."Also covered in that indictment: Kansas-based [Westar Energy,][2] which has been charged with making illegal contributions to a Delay-organized political action committee. Seven other companies face similar charges.Delay hasn't been charged in the matter, but he has been admonished by the House Ethics Committee.House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) told the Post: "If they make this rules change, Republicans will confirm yet again that they simply do not care if their leaders are ethical." But Republicans say the indictments are part of a "witch hunt" that shouldn't have an effect on the leadership in Congress.The Post said: "Changing the rule is not a sign that lawmakers think DeLay will be indicted, (a Republican congressman) said, but rather a public rebuke of an investigation they feel is wholly unwarranted."Other links:The abortion issue [Kansas anti-abortion groups hope to banish Specter][3]Sam Brownback links [Congress Unlikely to Pass Indecency Bill, Senate Spokesmen Say][4] [Senators vying for seat on power panel][5] [Congress Set to Pass Conrad State 30 J-1 Bill][6]How to contact As always, you can find information to contact members of the Kansas congressional delegation [here.][7] [1]: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A54572-2004Nov16.html [2]: http://www.ljworld.com/section/citynews/story/184043 [3]: http://www.ljworld.com/section/stateregional/story/187874 [4]: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=aJtMssn8ZfS0&refer=us [5]: http://www.thehill.com/news/111704/panel.aspx [6]: http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=39838 [7]: http://ljworld.com/extra/where_to_write.html#fed

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